Modular Genetics Inc. Strikes Deal With Monsanto
The deal marks a huge step forward for MGI, a company that has been growing for the past four years with the help of Boston University's Technology Development Fund. According to Terence Brennan, who heads up life science investing for the fund, TDF led the last round of financing for MGI in May 2004.
MGI co-founders, Kevin Jarrell, a former BU faculty member, and Temple Smith, a professor of biomedical engineering in BU's College of Engineering, developed the company's technology. Fundamentally a system for building and modifying genes by selecting and linking together segments of DNA, MGI's high-throughput gene-engineering platform cuts the time needed to identify useful protein products. The technology provides a big advantage to researchers who seek to discover genes that help produce new crops, drugs, or other products.
Other news from the department science
Get the life science industry in your inbox
From now on, don't miss a thing: Our newsletter for biotechnology, pharma and life sciences brings you up to date every Tuesday and Thursday. The latest industry news, product highlights and innovations - compact and easy to understand in your inbox. Researched by us so you don't have to.